Matsudo

Matsudo 松戸市
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Location of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture
Matsudo
Coordinates: 35°47′N 139°54′E / 35.783°N 139.9°E / 35.783; 139.9
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Chiba Prefecture
Government
- Mayor	Toshihisa Kawai
Area
- Total	61.33 km2 (23.7 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2007)	481,119
- Density	7,844.8/km2 (20,317.9/sq mi)
City Symbols
- Tree	Castanopsis, eucalyptus and cherry blossom
- Flower	Azalea and hydrangea
- Bird	Ural Owl, Barn Swallow and White Heron
Website	Matsudo City
Phone number	047-366-1111
Address 387-5, Nemoto, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8588

Matsudo (松戸市, Matsudo-shi^?) is the third-largest city in Chiba, Japan, and a major bedroom community (11th largest city) in the Greater Tokyo Area. As of January 1, 2007, the city has an estimated population of 481,119. The total area is 61.33 km².

History

The Matsudo area was mainly inhabited by farmers until the 1960s, and the village was only used as a stopover point on the road between Tokyo and Mito (supplanted by the opening of Matsudo Station on the Joban Line in 1896). Matsudo Town was incorporated in 1889 and became a city on April 1, 1943.

Beginning in the 1960s, the rapid economic growth in Japan (and the Tokyo area in particular) led to a construction boom in Matsudo and the development of the area as a major suburb of Tokyo.

Sister city

Front of Bandai Museum from the exit of the Matsudo Train Station

On May 12, 1971, Matsudo established a sister city relationship with the then City of Box Hill near the City of Melbourne, Australia. When Box Hill amalgamated with Nunawading in December 1994, the relationship was re-affirmed with the new City of Whitehorse.

A small, multi-story department store attached to Matsudo train station bears the name "Box Hill".

It was said in a Japanese legend that Matsudo's shore's were invaded over 6000 years ago by Sorcerors from Sodegaura.

External links

• Media related to Matsudo, Chiba at Wikimedia Commons
• Matsudo official website in Japanese

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